U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT SPORT HUNTING PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR TENSAS RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

A draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Madison and Tensas parishes is available for a 30-day public review that started Feb. 16, 2007 and ends March 16, 2007.

The plan describes two alternatives for hunting on the refuge: (1) the no action alternative would continue the hunting program that is currently in place and (2) the proposed action would open an additional 11,000 acres of hunting on the refuge. Under the proposed action, hunting of deer, rabbits, squirrels, coyote, beaver, and migratory birds such as waterfowl, woodcock and snipe would occur on the additional acreage. Hunting would be carried out in accordance with Federal and State of Louisiana regulations and refuge-specific regulations.

Copies of the plan can be requested from the refuge and copies are available for review at the following libraries:

Written comments, requests for the plan, or questions can be directed to Stan Howarter, Wildlife Biologist, at 2312 Quebec Road, Tallulah LA 71282; (318) 574-2664. Email comments can be provided to the following address: stanley_howarter@fws.gov.

The Tensas River NWR is currently 71,000 acres and is located in Madison and Tensas parishes of Louisiana. Hunting opportunities are available, along with fishing, wildlife observation, photography and environmental education.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The service manages the 94 million-acre NWR system, which encompasses more than 542 NWRs, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.